Cooperative learning is an effective instructional strategy. Students who regularly participate in cooperative group activities tend to have higher academic test scores, higher self-esteem, stronger social skills, and greater content knowledge. The following teaching strategies can be used to ensure that theatre tasks completed in small groups truly result in learning for all group members.

• Make sure the learning outcome is clear and and understood by each individual group member.
• Present instructions clearly before the group effort begins.
• Make the instructions easily accessible to groups after they have begun working..
• Divide the students into heterogeneous groups.
• Remember that cooperative tasks do not need to be competitive tasks.
• Make sure there is an equal opportunity for each group to complete the task successfully.
• Structure tasks so students must rely on one another to complete the task.
• Provide easy access to resource materials.
• Provide sufficient time for the completion of the cooperative task.
• Make sure each student is held accountable for individual learning.
• Provide time during and after the task for student reflection on the new knowledge and skills attained during the cooperative group activity.